Paralegal Studies Program
How to Find the Best One Near Eau Claire Wisconsin
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Eau Claire WI and start your journey that will lead to a satisfying profession in legal services. However, it's important that you locate the best school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need to succeed. A growing number of academic options are becoming available in the legal field, both at school and online, due to the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. However with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? A number of potential students start by trying to find schools within commuting range of their homes. Of those options, they search for the program with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best option just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the program ought to be considered too. Later on in this article we will review a list of questions that you must ask potential paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare each one prior to making your choice. But first, let's take a look at the academic options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Education and Certification
Paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to launch your career as a paralegal in Eau Claire WI is by earning a certificate, which can involve as little as 6 months to complete. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and may be acquired at many community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. Once you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you might want to continue and obtain a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Wisconsin to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. Some of the highly respected certifying organizations in the field are:
- National Federation of Paralegal Associations
- American Alliance of Paralegals
- National Association of Legal Assistants
- National Association for Legal Professionals
By graduating with a paralegal degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two crucial initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Degrees
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more prevalent and may be an excellent alternative for individuals living in Eau Claire WI searching for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to those who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can in some cases be less expensive than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a highly regarded agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional setting, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what training choices are available, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But since there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Eau Claire WI area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must find out what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will begin by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other critical issues to consider also, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final choice.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in need to be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Eau Claire WI law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are usually accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are entering the profession with no prior experience, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you pick is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating reports can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call several Eau Claire WI law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they suggest. Remember that even when a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal operation while still in school. They can also provide a pathway for students to start developing contacts within the Eau Claire WI legal community. Ask if the paralegal programs you are evaluating offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be difficult without support. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Wisconsin legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws vary from one state to another, it might be advantageous to choose a paralegal school domiciled in Wisconsin or the state where you want to practice after graduation. Also, it will be important to build relationships in the area legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more reason to acquire your education in the community where you desire to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might want to initially look at those colleges that are within the Eau Claire WI region.
How Much is the Total Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in cost depending on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be available to help minimize part of the cost, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Eau Claire WI. Naturally if you choose to attend an online school, some of these supplementary expenses, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Many paralegal students keep working while obtaining their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Eau Claire WI, make sure classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you enroll in makes available that option. Finally, ask what the process is for making-up missed classes because of work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Eau Claire
Enroll in the Best Eau Claire Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the ideal paralegal degree program is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Eau Claire residence. Paralegal academic programs are offered in various formats and lengths. Various types of public and private institutions make available paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Afford yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this fascinating profession. But no matter how you elect to obtain your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to assess each school and make your final decision. And with the right training you can accomplish your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Eau Claire Wisconsin.
Eau Claire Paralegal Schools | Eau Claire Paralegal Training